Chicago leaders declared victory Friday after pushing back against President Trump, who announced he will instead send federal troops to Memphis to address crime. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker criticized the decision, saying on social media that it was “disturbing that the President is hellbent on sending troops onto America’s streets,” calling the move an insult to those in uniform and insisting “none of this is normal.”
Mayor Brandon Johnson also weighed in, crediting Chicago’s unified opposition from community leaders and elected officials with blocking the administration’s threat of deploying the National Guard to the city. He said Chicago welcomes federal resources but rejects “any military occupation” within its borders.
Trump had first floated the idea in late August, repeatedly blasting Chicago as a “disaster” and a “hellhole.” But despite the rhetoric, the city has seen marked improvements, with homicides down nearly 30 percent and shootings down 38 percent from last year, according to police data. Pritzker further challenged the president’s authority to override the state on National Guard deployment, even threatening legal action and staging press appearances to fight the proposal.
As recently as last week, Trump had warned, “Chicago about to find out why it’s called the Department of WAR” in a social media post. By midweek, however, he shifted his focus, suggesting he would rather target crime in a city that requested his help. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security has launched “Operation Midway Blitz” in Chicago, expanding Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids. Both Pritzker and Johnson remain firmly opposed to these operations, citing state and local laws that prevent cooperation with ICE.